Prehistoric memes – the Funnel Beaker culture
We can only identify ancient civilisations by what they leave behind. It sounds obvious to say this in the absence of written records. Archeologists also classify history using other means
Prague’s pentecostal uprising
In 1848, Prague citizens rebelled against their Austro-Hungarian rulers. Was this similar to the French revolution, also in 1848? Or was it a sign of something deeper than that? ?My article examines what happened, and what the implications were.
Milada Horáková: Czech resistance fighter
People who speak out against a regime ? are targeted. We think this happens in dictatorships but a democratic society can face the wrath of an angry administration. Under communist rule, Czechoslovakia targeted the resistance fighter Milada Horáková as brutally as possible.
Český Šternberk Castle
It’s not everyday you find castles still owned by the original family. Czechia's Český Šternberk ? towers over the town of the same name, and is one of the few in the world to make that claim ?
The Chapel of Our Lady of Divine Grace
The old adage claims there are 356 chapels and churches in Malta, 1 for every day of the year! One tiny often neglected chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Grace in Sliema. This article details its history and its significance to this sprawling metropolis.
The Lasting effects of the Thirty Years’ War
I've written plenty of articles about the effects of the 30 Years' war on Prague and Czechia in general. I knew bits and pieces of the story so I decided to put all my research into a larger article to put things into context.
Do you know Dublin has a surprising megalithic tomb?
I find pre-historical buildings fascinating. We don't know why they built them, who designed them or how ?♂️. The lack of writing means we will never know. All we do know is what we can conclude from the ruins which is never enough. This aura of mystery piques my interest. ?
Do you know about the explosion in Birgu?
One of Malta's worst peacetime disasters took place in 1806. A military gunpowder store exploded in Birgu, across the harbour from Valletta.
For people who love exploring old castle ruins
I’ve often seen forts and castles built according to the geography of the land. I’d never seen one designed according to the material used to build it. Until I visited the Czech Valečov castle ruins, that is.
For people interested in World War II stories
There's a plaque on the wall in the castle in Ghent, Belgium, thanking the city for the symbolic establishment of the SAS. In Belgium. The SAS? Symbolic establishment? I started digging deeper to find out what this was all about.